ES2358295T3 - A SUPPORT ASSEMBLY. - Google Patents

Abstract

A support assembly (10) for a vehicle of the type that includes a closed cargo transport compartment having a roof, said support assembly being adapted to provide support for a person when traveling on said roof, said support assembly including : a guide (11) that can be mounted on the ceiling; a base (12) slidably connected to said guide (11) to move along; a support structure (13) having a lower end part (14) which is rotatably connected to said base (12); characterized in that said support structure has a handle (15) that is separated from said lower end part (14) and in which said assembly further includes a stop (73) to selectively block said support structure (13) in a desired position in relation to said base (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a support assembly.

This invention has a concrete, but not exclusive application for a support assembly that allows a person to be supported when traveling on the roof of a vehicle and a reference will be provided for illustrative purposes. However, it would be appreciated that the invention could be used in other applications where it is desirable to provide support for people when engaged in activities that could result in the person suffering a fall and damage, such as working in elevated structures, including buildings and bridges, or in mobile structures, such as pitching a ship's deck.

Most rail and road vehicles that are used to transport oil or other liquids in large quantities include an elongated storage container that has a generally elliptical cross-section and a narrow, possibly arched roof. Typically, the storage container includes at least one entrance that is formed in the ceiling.

From time to time it is necessary, whether it is to keep or refill the container, for people who have to access the opening. Due to the narrowness of the roof and / or its arched shape, it is known that people who move and work on the roof lose their balance, leading to a fall that can cause serious damage.

Several devices are known for use by people who have to travel in elevated structures, such as on the roof of a vehicle. Typically, the safety apparatus includes an elongated guide that is mounted on the structure and a support structure that has a base that is adapted to couple said guide and is capable of moving along said guide. The safety apparatus may also include a harness that the person can wear and that is capable of securing itself to the support structure. For example, prior art is provided in US 2002/0148680.

Unfortunately, due to the design of the safety apparatus mentioned above, people can usually only access the safety apparatus once they are standing on the roof structure. On the other hand, to stand on the roof structure, the person often has to climb a ladder and over an edge of the roof structure, which could lead to the person falling or getting hurt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a support apparatus that improves at least some of the defects of the state of the art.

With the foregoing in mind, this invention relates in one aspect to a support assembly for a vehicle of the type that includes a closed cargo transport compartment having a roof, said support assembly being adapted to provide support for a person when move on said roof, including said support assembly:

a guide that can be mounted on said ceiling;

a base slidably connected to said guide for a movement along;

a support structure having a lower end part that is rotatably connected to said base and a handle that is separated from said lower end part, and

a stop to selectively block said support structure in a desired position relative to said base.

The stop may include an actuator to selectively couple and decouple the stop. The actuator is preferably located in the handle of the support structure or in the support structure, adjacent to said handle.

In one embodiment, the stop can be adapted to selectively couple differentiated locations in the base. These locations may coincide with predetermined preferable positions of the support structure.

The support assembly may also include braking means to control the movement of the base along the guide. Like the stop, the brake can include an actuator to selectively engage and decouple the brake. The actuator is preferably located in the handle of the support structure or in the support structure.

Preferably, the support assembly includes both a stop and a brake.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE IMAGES

In order for the invention to be more fully understood, a preferable embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached images, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a vehicle in which a support assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention is mounted;

Figure 2 shows the person holding a harness to his body;

Figure 3 shows the person climbing a ladder mounted on one side of the vehicle;

Figure 4 shows the person securing the harness to the support assembly;

Figure 5 shows the person who continues to climb the ladder while using the support assembly for support;

Figure 6 shows the person using the support support assembly while working on a roof of the vehicle;

Figure 7 shows an illustrated view of the support assembly, including the harness;

Figure 8 shows a side view of a guide for the support assembly;

Figure 9 shows an end view of the guide;

Figure 10 shows an illustrated view of a section of the guide when viewed from above;

Figure 11 shows an illustrated view from above of one end of the guide;

Figure 12 shows an illustrated view from above of a bottom end portion and base of a support structure of the support assembly;

Figure 13 shows an illustrated view from above of the lower end and base part of the support structure;

Figure 14 shows an illustrated view from above of the lower end and base part of the support structure, and

Figure 15 shows an illustrated cross-sectional view from above of the lower end and base portion of the support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6 show the support assembly 10 mounted on a vehicle 16 of the type that is commonly used to transport oil and other liquids in large quantities. The vehicle 16 includes an elongated storage container 17 having a generally elliptical cross-section and a narrow roof 18, and in which a access port 19 is provided partially between the opposite ends of the roof 18.

Figure 7 shows a support assembly 10 that includes an elongated guide 11, a base 12 and a support structure 13.

The base 12 is adapted to couple the guide 11 and is able to move along said guide while remaining coupled thereto.

The support structure 13 has a lower end portion 14 that is rotatably connected to the base 12 and a handle 15 that is separated from said base.

The guide 11 consists of an elongated piece of tubular steel section 20 which has a generally square cross-sectional cross section. The steel section 20 is fixed to and extends longitudinally along the roof 18 of the vehicle 16 through a series of connectors 21.

Each connector 21 consists of a first part 22 fixed to the steel section 20 and a second part 23 that is fixed to the ceiling 18. The first part 22 includes a mounting plate 24 that is separated from the steel section 20 by two opposite flanges 25 that depend on the bottom of the guide 11.

The second part 23 includes a mounting plate 26 that is separated from the ceiling 18 by two straight opposite flanges 27 that are welded to the ceiling 18.

The two mounting plates 24 and 26 are bolted together using bolts 27a, as shown in figures 8 through 11.

At each opposite end 28, of the guide 11, a retainer 29 is provided. The retainer 29, consisting of two opposite pieces of bent plate 30, bolted together, is used to limit the travel of the base 12 along the length of the guide

eleven.

The base 12 includes a body 31 in which a longitudinally extending channel 32 is formed. The channel 32 has a square cross-sectional cross-section and is adapted to freely receive the tubular section 20 therein.

The body 31 also includes a front end part 33 and a rear end part 34, each of which has three cavities 35, 36 and 37 respectively that are formed therein. Each of the cavities includes two opposite side walls 38 that are separated by a reinforcement 39.

The cavities 35, 36 and 37 are each adapted to receive a roller assembly 40, consisting of a wheel 41 that is free to rotate with respect to an axle 42 having opposite end portions 43 that are each located in a respective opening 44 formed in a side wall 38. The wheels 41 are each held in front of a respective side wall 45 of the steel section 20, as shown in Figure 15.

The base 12 also includes a mounting 46, including two straight opposite flanges 47 located between the front and rear end portions 33 and 34. The flanges 47 each include an arcuate edge portion 48 in which four semicircular notches 49 are formed. Each of the flanges 47 also includes a mounting opening 50 formed therein.

The support structure 13 is constructed from a tubular member that has been folded so that it resembles a cane, consisting of a post 51, which has a lower end portion 14 and a handle 15 that extends so external from post 51 in an orthogonal direction generally. The lower end portion 14 is rotatably connected to the assembly 46 by means of a bolt 52 that extends through opposite mounting openings 50.

The support structure is equipped with braking means 53, including a pair of opposite clamping arms 54, each of which consists of a pair of clamping members 54a, each of which has a fixed end 55 and an end free 56. Each clamping arm 54 includes a clamp 57, located adjacent to the free end 56, consisting of a pair of divergent flanges 58, which have an inner face 59 on which a plate 60 is mounted. The clamps 57 are adapted each to hold an adjacent pair of faces of the steel section

twenty.

The two clamping arms 54 are intermediately connected between their respective ends by means of a spiral spring 61. The action of the spring 61, in use, is to drive the clamping arms 54 together thus keeping the plates 60 in contact with the steel section with sufficient force so that the base 12 cannot move in relation to the guide 11.

The fixed end 55 of each clamping arm 54 includes a roller assembly 62, which consists of a wheel 63 that is free to rotate around a motor shaft 64, which is the axis of a bolt 65 that rotatably connects the clamping arm 55 to a flange 66 of an "L" shaped mounting support plate 67.

The flange 66 includes a slotted opening 68 through which two bolts 69 extend, said bolts being used to slidably connect a cam member 70, which also resembles a wedge.

The lower end 71 of the cam member 70 is connected to a brake handle 72, mounted on the handle 15, by means of a wire cable 73. The brake handle 72 is able to move between a first position, in which the member cam is in its highest position, and a second position, in which the cam member is in its lowest position. The brake handle 72 is held in the first position by the action of a spring, not shown.

When the cam member 70 moves from its first position to its second position, the coupling of the cam member 70 with the two wheels 63 results in the decoupling of the clamps 57 with the steel section 20, thus allowing the movement of base 12 along the guide 11. However, when the pressure exerted to influence the brake handle 72 by the user is released, the brake handle automatically returns to its first position; the cam member 70 returns to its highest position and the clamps 57 reattach the steel section 20 thus resisting further movement of the base 12 in relation to the guide 11.

The support structure 13 also includes locking means 73, including a locking pin 74 having opposite free end portions 75 which are each permissible in a respective notch 49. In addition, the locking pin 74 is retained in a coupled position. with the notches 49 by the action of a spiral spring 75a, which has a first end 76 that is secured to the base 12 and a second end 77 that is fixed to a middle part of said locking pin 74.

The middle part of the locking pin 74 is connected to a locking handle 78, mounted on the handle 15, by means of a wire cable 79. The locking handle 79 is able to move between a first position, in which the locking pin 74 is in engagement with a pair of notches 49, and a second position, in which the locking pin 74 will no longer be in engagement with said notches 49. The locking handle 79 is held in the first position by the action of a spring, not shown.

When the locking pin 74 passes from a position coupled to an uncoupled position, the post S1 is free to move between a first, or generally straight position, and a second, or generally horizontal position, said first and second positions corresponding to the notches. 49a and 49d respectively. The notches 49b and 49c correspond to the inclination positions of approximately 60 degrees and up to 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal.

However, when the pressure exerted to influence the locking handle 79 by the user is released, the locking handle automatically returns to its first position and through the free ends of the locking pin 74 will continue to slide along the arched edges 48 with rotation of the post 51, they will automatically be coupled to a respective notch 49 when they are located thereon and will remain in engagement therewith due to the action of the spring 75a, thus avoiding additional movement of the post 51 in relation to base 12.

The handle 15 includes two stems 80 and 81 that are fixed thereto.

The support assembly 10 also includes a harness 90, consisting of a belt 91 that can be secured around the user's waist and two straps 92, each having a fixed end that is fixed to the belt 91 and a free end 93 equipped with a buckle 94. In use, the buckles 94 can each be connected to a respective rod 80 or 81, if desired.

Figures 1 to 6 show the support assembly 10 in use. Specifically, once the harness 90 has been secured around the user's waist, the user then uses the ladder 100 to climb to the side of the rear 101 of the storage container 17.

When the user reaches the top of the ladder, the user can secure at least one of the buckles 94 to one of the stems 80 or 81. Consequently, if the user slips or loses his balance when climbing to the ceiling 18, It will not fall or suffer damage.

By continuing to climb the ladder 100, the user can grip the handle 15 to obtain support, which in the position shown in Figure 4 extends backward beyond the edge of the roof 18.

Before placing his foot on the highest step of the ladder 100, the user can, by pulling the locking handle 79, undock the locking pin 74 and the notches 49d, lift the handle 15, which can itself be locked in place by releasing the locking handle so that the locking pin engages notches 49b or 49c. By replacing the handle 15, which is now higher and located above the ceiling 18, it is believed that the user will be able to climb more easily to the ceiling 18.

Once standing on the roof 18, the user can by pulling on the locking handle 79, uncoupling the locking pin 74 and the notches 49b or 49c, move the post 41 so that it is now standing, that at Then it can itself lock in place by releasing the locking handle in such a way that the locking pin engages the notches 49a.

Next, in order to move the support structure 13 along the guide 11 while being held in the support handle 15, the user must pull the brake handle 72 so that the clamps 57 and the steel section are disengaged twenty.

Similarly, to avoid further movement of the support structure 13 along the guide 11, such as while working near an access opening, the user only has to release the handle of the brake handle 72 to allow the coupling of the clamps 57 with the steel section 20.

When you get off the roof 18 using the ladder 100, you can follow the procedure just described but in reverse.

It will be taken into account that the support assembly 10 offers a safer alternative for working in elevated structures, such as a storage container, than the prior art.

It will also be taken into account that the above example is provided only as an illustration of the present invention.

Claims (7)

1. A support assembly (10) for a vehicle of the type that includes a closed cargo transport compartment having a roof, said support assembly being adapted to provide support for a person when traveling on said roof, said assembly including of support: a guide (11) that can be mounted on the ceiling; a base (12) slidably connected to said guide (11) to move along; a support structure (13) having a lower end part (14) which is rotatably connected to said base (12); characterized in that said support structure has a handle (15) that is separated from said lower end part (14) and in which said assembly further includes a stop (73) to selectively block said support structure (13) in a desired position in relation to said base (12).

2.

A support assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stop (73) includes a stop actuator (73) for selectively coupling and decoupling the stop (73).

3.

A support assembly (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said stopper actuator

(73) is located in said handle (15).

Four.

A support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said stop (73) is adapted to couple differentiated locations (49a, 49b and 49c) in the base (12) and in the that said differentiated locations (49a, 49b and 49c) coincide with different inclination positions of said support structure (13) in relation to said base (12).

5.

A support assembly (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein braking means (53), mounted on said support structure (13) are also provided to control the movement of said base (12) along said guide (11).

6.

A support assembly (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said braking means

(53) include a brake actuator (72) for selectively operating said braking means (53). 7. A support assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said brake actuator (72) is located in said handle (15).